Tempranillo

Tempranillo means the "small early", since the little berries of Tempranillo in Spain is harvested before the Garnacha. The Tempranillo is the most famous red grape in Spain, it is the main variety in the Rioja and the Ribera del Duero and other cultivation areas. With 113.000 hectares of vineyards (more than the entire vineyard surface of Germany!) It is the second most populated grape in Spain. Tempranillo is known under several synonyms: Tinto Fino, Tinta del Pais, Tinta de Toro, Tinta del Roriz (Portugal), Aragonez, Ull de Llebre and others. Tempranillo has an average alcohol content and soft tannins, this is why it usually can be drunk young. Nevertheless, high-quality wines are long-lasting. Tempranillo traditionally also grows in Portugal, where it is known as Tinta de Roriz as part of the port wine and in the south of France. In addition, the popular variety was planted in many wine-growing countries, even in Germany first plantations were registered.